Section XVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus insulted by the Suta’s son, that illustrious princess, the beautiful Krishna, eagerly wishing for the destruction of Virata’s general, went to her quarters. And Drupada’s daughter of dark hue and slender waist then performed her ablutions. And washing her body and cloths with water Krishna began to ponder weepingly on the means of dispelling her grief.

And she reflected, saying,

'What am I to do? Whither shall I go? How can my purpose be effected?'

And while she was thinking thus, she remembered Bhima and said to herself,

'There is none else, save Bhima, that can today accomplish the purpose on which my heart is set!'

And afflicted with great grief, the large-eyed and intelligent Krishna possessed of powerful protectors then rose up at night, and leaving her bed speedily proceeded towards the quarters of Bhimasena, desirous of beholding her lord. And possessed of great intelligence, the daughter of Drupada entered her husband’s quarters, saying,

'How canst you sleep while that wretched commander of Virata’s forces, who is my foe, yet lives, having perpetrated today that (foul act)?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then the chamber where Bhima slept, breathing hard like a lion, being filled with the beauty of Drupada’s daughter and of the high-souled Bhima, blazed forth in splendour. And Krishna of sweet smiles, finding Bhimasena in the cooking apartments, approached him with the eagerness of a three-year old cow brought up in the woods, approaching a powerful bull, in her first season, or of a she-crane living by the water-side approaching her mate in the pairing season. And the Princess of Pancala then embraced the second son of Pandu, even as a creeper embraces a huge and mighty Sala on the banks of the Gomati. And embracing him with her arms, Krishna of faultless features awaked him as a lioness awakes a sleeping lion in a trackless forest. And embracing Bhimasena even as a she-elephant embraces her mighty mate, the faultless Pancali addressed him in voice sweet as the sound of a stringed instrument emitting Gandhara note.

And she said,

'Arise, arise! Why dost you, O Bhimasena, lie down as one dead? Surely, he that is not dead, never suffers a wicked wretch that has disgraced his wife, to live.'

And awakened by the princess, Bhima of mighty arms, then rose up, and sat upon his couch overlaid with a rich bed. And he of the Kuru race then addressed the princess—his beloved wife, saying,

'For what purpose hast you come hither in such a hurry? Your colour is gone and you lookest lean and pale. Tell me everything in detail. I must know the truth. Whether it be pleasurable or painful, agreeable, or disagreeable, tell me all. Having heard everything, I shall apply the remedy. I alone, O Krishna, am entitled to your confidence in all things, for it is I who deliver you from perils again and again! Tell me quickly what is your wish, and what is the purpose that is in your view, and return you to your bed before others awake.'"